Fertility Glossary

Artificial Insemination: The procedure in which a sperm is introduced into a female genital tract.

Assisted Hatching: The process done to promote implantation, small holes are created in the shell of an embryo

Blastocyst Transfer: A step in vitro fertilisation in which the embryos are transferred into a blastocyst stage (a more advanced stage) which marks the fifth day after fertilisation.

Clomiphene citrate: A drug used to raise the ovulation in the case of an ovulation.

COH - Controlled Ovarian Hyperstimulation: A medication used to stimulate the ovaries for the production of multiple ova.

Donor Eggs/Sperm: The eggs/sperm provided by a man or a woman who has agreed to donate them for other fertility treatment.

Double Stimulation: it is the stimulation for two cycles in one and it is used to increase the number of eggs retrieved in IVF.

Embryo Transfer: it is the process of placing one or more embryos in the uterus of a woman after fertilisation through IVF to achieve pregnancy.

Fertility Drugs: Medications are used to boost egg/sperm production and thus enhance fertility

Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET): In this process, the previously frozen embryos are transferred into the uterus in a coming IVF cycle.

Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer (GIFT): It is the procedure in which the eggs and sperm are placed in the fallopian tube for fertilization.

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): This treatment involves the hormones which manage the symptoms of menopause and thus support reproductive health.

In vitro fertilisation(IVF): in this process Eggs and sperm are fertilised outside the body and transferred into the uterus.

IUI: This process includes the inserting of the sperm directly into the uterus and thus increases the chances of fertilization

Laser-assisted hatching: A small opening is created in the embryo's shell using a laser to improve the implantation.

Luteal Phase Support: With the help of progesterone is used to maintain the uterine lining and thus supports early pregnancy after the ovulation and embryo transfer.

Microsurgical Epididymal Sperm Aspiration (MESA): A procedure to retrieve sperm from the epididymis in cases of male infertility.

Oocyte Donation: it is the process of providing eggs from a donor to help someone conceive.

Ovarian Drilling: This surgical procedure is used to treat polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) by puncturing the ovaries to gain normal ovulation.

Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis: In this diagnosis, the testing of the embryos for genetic disorders is done before the implantation.

Selective Reduction: In multiple pregnancies, the number of embryos is reduced to improve the outcome.

Sperm donations: Sperms are being donated from one person to another person for fertilization purposes.

TESA (Testicular Sperm Aspiration): Here, the sperms are extracted directly from the testicles to assist reproduction.

Time Lapse Embryo Imaging: With continuous imaging, the embryo development is monitored and thus improves the selection for transfer.

Uterine Transplant: To increase the possibility of pregnancy in women, the uterus is replaced with uterine factor infertility.

Vitrification: It is a quick freezing technique used to preserve and freeze eggs, sperm and embryos.

Zygote Intrafallopian Transfer (ZIFT): ZIFT is the process of transferring the zygote(fertilised egg) into the fallopian tube.

Aneuploidy Screening: To identify the abnormal number of chromosomes, this screening is done through a genetic test reformed on the embryos.

Assisted Hatching: It is a laboratory technique in which small holes are made in the outer shell of an embryo to implant it in the uterus.

Biopsy: For genetic testing, a small sample of tissue from the embryo is removed.

Blastocyst Culture: Embryos are grown in the lab till the blastocyst stage (5-6 days after fertilisation) before the transfer.

Comprehensive Chromosomal Screening (CCS): This kind of genetic test screening is done to examine all 23 pairs of chromosomes in an embryo.

Cryopreservation: it is the process of freezing eggs, sperm and embryos for future use.

Donor Egg Bank: it is the facility which stores donated eggs and it can be used for fertilisation treatments.

Double Stimulation (DuoStim): This process includes two rounds of ovarian stimulation and egg retrieval within one menstrual cycle.

Egg Vitrification: It is the quick process used to freeze and preserve the egg for future use.

Endometrial Receptivity Analysis (ERA): This test is conducted based on the receptivity of the uterine lining and it analyses the best time to transfer the embryo.

Fertility Preservation: It is the technique used in freezing and preserving the sperm/eggs for future use.

Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET): In this process, the previously frozen eggs are thawed and transferred into the uterus.

Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer (GIFT): In this advanced reproductive technique, the eggs and sperm are placed directly into the woman's fallopian tube.

Genetic Counseling: This service provides information and support to individuals or couples about their genetic conditions and passing them on to their offspring.

Hysteroscopy:: This procedure allows the direct visualisation of the uterine cavity with the help of a hysteroscope and it is used to diagnose and treat uterine conditions which affect fertility.

In Vitro Maturation (IVM): This procedure is conducted before fertilisation in which the immature eggs are collected and matured in the lab.

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI): To facilitate fertilisation, a single sperm is injected directly into an egg.

Laparoscopic Ovarian Drilling: This surgical treatment targets women with polycystic ovary syndrome and induces ovulation in them.

Laser-Assisted Hatching: To assist the implantation, a thin hole is created with a laser in the zona pellucida which is the outer layer of the embryo.

Microsurgical Epididymal Sperm Aspiration (MESA): In this procedure, the sperm is retrieved from the epididymis in cases of male fertility.

Mitochondrial Replacement Therapy (MRT): To prevent mitochondrial diseases the defective mitochondria in an egg or embryo are being replaced.

Oocyte Cryopreservation: This is another term used for egg freezing and is used to preserve fertility.

Ovarian Tissue Freezing: It is the process of removing and freezing ovarian tissue for future transplantation.

Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD): This test is used to analyse the embryos for specific genetic conditions before transferring them into the uterus.

Preimplantation Genetic Screening (PGS): This screening is done before the implantation to diagnose embryos for chromosomal abnormalities.

Reproductive Immunology: This field of study indicates how the immune system interacts with reproductive processes and thus can address unexplained infertility pregnancy loss.

Robotic Surgery: Robotic systems are used to perform minimally invasive surgery and it is used in treating fertility-related issues.

Sequential Embryo Transfer: To increase the chances of implantation, the embryos are transferred to the cleavage stage and blastocyst stage.

Sperm DNA Fragmentation Test: This test measures the DNA damage in sperms which may affect fertility.

Testicular Sperm Extraction (TESE): In cases of male infertility, the sears are retrieved directly from the testes.

Time-Lapse Embryo Imaging: This imaging technique captures the development stages of the embryos in the laboratory.

Ultrasound-Guided Embryo Transfer: This ultrasound imaging technique guides the placement of the embryos in the uterus.

Uterine Transplant: Uterine Transplant: In this surgical procedure the uterus of a healthy woman is being transplanted in a woman whose uterus is absent or infertile.

Vasectomy Reversal: This surgical procedure helps to restore fertility in men who had a vasectomy.

Vitrification: This rapid freezing process is used in cryopreservation to prevent the formation of ice crystals commonly used for eggs and embryos.

Zygote Intrafallopian Transfer (ZIFT): In this advanced reproductive technique a fertilised egg/zygote is placed into the fallopian tube.

AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone):: It is a hormone produced by ovarian follicles, which indicates the woman's ovarian reserve.

Antral Follicle Count (AFC): This ultrasound measurement shows the number of small follicles in the ovaries used to assess the ovarian follicle.

Banking: It is the process of storing eggs, sperm or embryos for future fertilisation purposes.

Cryopreservation: The process of storing eggs, sperm or embryos for future fertilisation purposes.

Cryoprotectant: This is the substance used to protect the reproductive cells during the thawing and freezing process.

Egg Freezing (Oocyte Cryopreservation): It is the process of extracting, freezing and storing the eggs from women for future use.

Embryo Freezing: For future use, the embryos are frozen and stored through in vitro fertilisation.

Fertility Counseling: It is the service through which fertility information and support to the individuals are being given.

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH): It is the hormone which is involved in the regulation of reproductive processes and is often measured to assess ovarian function.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH): This hormone helps regulate the release of FSH and LH from the pituitary gland which is used to control ovarian stimulation.

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): In this therapy with the use of hormones the normal hormone levels are restored and used often in conjunction with fertility preservation treatments.

In Vitro Maturation (IVM): Being freezing the eggs, the immature eggs are collected and matured before the lab procedures.

Luteinizing Hormone (LH): This hormone triggers the development of the corpus lutem and is often measured during fertility preservation.

Mature Oocyte Cryopreservation: This focuses on egg freezing and the preservation of mature eggs.

Ovarian Suppression: To stop ovarian function during cancer treatment to protect fertility, certain medications are used.

Ovarian Tissue Cryopreservation: It is the process of freezing and storing ovarian tissue for future fertilisation purposes.

Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD): This diagnosis tests the embryos for specific genetic conditions before freezing and future use.

Preimplantation Genetic Screening (PGS): This process is about screening the embryos before freezing to analyse the chromosomal abnormalities.

Reproductive Endocrinologist: This specialist in reproductive medicines provides fertility preservation services.

Reproductive Tissue Banking: This service includes the process of storing the reproductive tissues such as ovarian tissue or testicular tissue for future use.

Semen Cryopreservation: It is the process of freezing and storing semen for future use.

Sperm Banking: This stores the sperm for future use and it is mainly used by the men undergoing treatments which may affect their fertility.

Testicular Tissue Cryopreservation: This process is mainly used in prepubescent boys who cannot produce mature sperm. The testicular tissue is being stored and frozen.

Thawing: It is the process of warming the frozen reproductive cells or tissues for fertility treatments.

Ultrasound Monitoring: To analyse the follicle development during the ovarian stimulation, ultrasound imaging is used for fertility preservation.

Vitrification: It is the rapid freezing process in cryopreservation to prevent the formation of ice crystals and it is widely used for eggs and embryos.

Aneuploidy: This is when the embryo contains either too few or too many chromosomes. Genetic testing can detect this.

Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART): Medical procedures covering a large range of techniques used in overcoming infertility and creating a family, which include methods applied for family balancing.

Blastocyst: The level of growth of the embryo, typically five to six days after fertilization.

Blastocyst: An embryo cultured for five to six days following fertilization and often used for Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis, PGD, and genetic testing in family balancing.

Chromosomal Microarray (CMA): A test to determine the chromosomes of an embryo to detect any genetic abnormality, which when detected is used in family balancing.

Cryopreservation: The freezing and storage of reproductive cells or embryos for future use in family balancing.

Embryo Biopsy: It is a process of removing a small number of cells from an embryo to undertake genetic testing for the determination of sex and chromosomal normalcy.

Embryo Transfer: The process of placing a preselected embryo into the uterus after, in most cases, undergoing genetic testing for family balancing purposes.

Family Balancing: A practice of choosing the sex of future children to have the desired structure of the family.

Fertility Specialist: A medical specialist who specializes in reproductive health and can facilitate family balancing.

Gender Selection: A process of determining the sex of an embryo before implantation. It is done before transfer by techniques like PGD or PGS.

Genetic Counseling: A service to inform and advise couples considering family balancing, including the risks and advantages of genetic testing.

ICSI: Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection is a process in which one sperm is injected directly into the egg. It is mostly done in cycles for family balancing within IVF cycles.

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): A procedure outside the human body, where eggs become fertilized by sperm, coupled with genetic testing for family balancing.

Karyotyping: A type of test that informs one on the number and structure of chromosomes in cells. The test is conducted to detect genetic abnormalities.

PGS: Preimplantation Genetic Screening is chromosomal testing of an embryo to select the healthiest for transfer. This is a common trend in family balancing.

Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis: It is a technique whereby embryos are screened for specific genetic conditions and sex before implantation. This plays a very important role in family balancing.

Sex Chromosomes: These refer to the X and Y chromosomes determining the sex of an individual, which are tested in any genetic tests for family balancing.

Sperm Sorting: A method of sorting sperm with X chromosomes from the ones having Y chromosomes to conceive a child of the desired sex.

Time-Lapse Embryo Imaging: This method describes images of developing embryos so that there is a better selection of healthy embryos for family balancing.

Ultrasound: An imaging method applied to monitor the development of follicles and the uterine environment; it is an integral part of the process of IVF and embryo transfer for family balancing.